Produce 48 – A Produce 101 X AKB48 collaboration

AKB48 confirms participation in Produce 101 (Season 3) – Produce 48

Back in end 2017, during the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in Japan; it was teased that a collaboration between Korea and Japan in 2018 in the form of Produce 48 was in the works. Produce 101 by Mnet, that was the bedding ground for widely popular groups I.O.I, Wanna One, and many other past participants was said to be back for a new season.

After the huge success, we would be wondering if it would go down the road of other previous talent-spotting programme; in fading into nothingness after multiple seasons. This collaboration came as quite a surprise; that “Produce 48” would feature a collaboration with Korea’s widely popular counterparts in Japan – AKB48.

According to an official statement from Mnet, “Produce 48” is a project that will combine the systems of “Produce 101” and “AKB48”. Featuring the concept of viewers selecting their idols to debut, with the “idols you can meet” concept, which performs in designated theaters for fans.

“Produce 48” aims to form a global girl group, and members from any of the 48 Groups would be eligible to apply.

Mnet’s “Produce 48” will be airing in mid-2018. This AKB48 and “Produce 101” collaboration is said to be a program that will be on an unprecedented scale.

With the announcement, the special collaboration performance at MAMA 2017 between the “graduates” of I.O.I and AKB48 all makes sense; and probably serves as a grand preview of what was to come.